Shehzad, Afridi script Pakistan win

Zimbabwe falls 25 runs short of Pakistan’s 161 for 5 in first T20I

Shahid Afridi was named the Player of the match while the Man of the match award went to Ahmed Shehzad.

Ahmed Shehzad shone with the bat and Shahid Afridi struck with the ball as Pakistan opened its tour of Zimbabwe with a comfortable victory in the first Twenty20 International at Harare Sports Club on Friday (August 23).

Shehzad's 70 allowed Pakistan to post 161 for 5 before Afridi picked up three wickets to secure a 25-run victory.

Shehzad's patience proved key as he saw out a tricky opening period when Pakistan lost Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez to Tendai Chatara, before slowly taking control.

Shehzad took 17 runs off Elton Chigumbura's first over to put the pressure on Zimbabwe. Shehzad struck six fours and a six in his 50-ball innings before he was caught on the boundary off Shingirai Masakadza.

Afridi ensured that Pakistan finished strongly, hitting 23 not out from 16 deliveries, and then made key breakthroughs in the Zimbabwe innings in claiming figures of 3 for 25.

Zimbabwe started brightly with a 53-run opening stand between Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda, but the inability to accelerate meant Zimbabwe was never really in the running.

The two teams will face off again at the same venue in the second and final T20I on Saturday.